Antique Fire Engine Muster and Open House fun time for adults, children

Smantha Schmiderer, 5, and brother Trevor, 2, are all smiles as they sit on one of the antique fire engines.
Paula Mitchell — Daily Freeman

KINGSTON >> Three-year-old Alastar Hattenbrun of Accord had just climbed down from an old fire truck parked on Fair Street, pulling his plastic fireman’s hat over his ears.

“It was just a little cool,” he said, taking his place next to older brother Owen, who also was exploring the big, red trucks — old and new — up close and personally.

“I like the lights turning around,” said 6-year-old Owen, pointing to the Glasco Fire Department truck, one of about 15 on display at the 11th annual Antique Fire Engine Muster and Open House.

Julian Yaffe of Accord had other thoughts about the assortment of fire trucks that seemed to be kid magnets that roused the imagination.

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“These old fire trucks are just so interesting because they just are so different from the ones that we have now,” said the 9-year-old, who was at the muster for the first time with his father, David Yaffe.

“We walked by the fire museum and admired it over the years,” the elder Yaffe said. “I just think this is fantastic. I can’t believe these machines are still operational and functional. The care that these area fire companies have put into keeping kept these trucks in such good shape is very impressive.”

The event is a yearly fundraiser for Volunteer Firemen’s Hall and Museum at 265 Fair St.

Paula Strang, the corresponding secretary, said the museum depends on donations and grants to keep the doors open, and the yearly muster is its biggest function of the year.

A 50-50 raffle and silent auction of items like a fire truck pedal car as well as other merchandise donated by area businesses were held as means to bring in funds, and Strang said at least a couple hundred people were expected to attend before the muster ended at 3 p.m. with a parade down Albany Avenue.

The Kingston Fire Department traces its origins to 1661 when the Dutch colonial government appointed “brantmeesters,” or fire marshals, to organize the fighting of fires in the original settlement of Wiltwyck, Kingston’s original name, according to historic materials at the museum.

Almost two centuries later, the Wiltwyck Fire Station, now the museum, was built.

The museum itself was organized on Jan. 18, 1980, opening its doors to the public on April 2, 1982.

Among its showpieces are two antique fire engines, an 1845 hand pumper, two parade carriages and a large collection of memorabilia.

“Children especially like to look at the trucks,” Strang said.

Former Mayor Richard White added that most age groups tend to find them electrifying.

“We all like to be firemen, whether we’re five-days-old or 500- days-old,” said White, a volunteer at the museum and a former volunteer firefighter.

“It’s a lot of fun, but a lot of work, and now, we just enjoy making everybody else happy by shining up and showing off our old equipment,” White said.

About the Author

Paula Ann Mitchell has been a multimedia journalist at the Freeman since March of 2010. She has an extensive background in television, radio, newspapers and magazines. Reach the author at pmitchell@freemanonline.com
or follow Paula Ann on Twitter: @anchoratfreeman.